Houston, Texas (KTRK) – When Houston hosts several World Cup games in 2026, most of our city’s residents won’t be among the 70,000 fans inside the NRG Match Stadium. However, we were reminded on Wednesday at Houston Sports Park that even without a ticket, every family in our community can be affected by the upcoming World Cup through Houston.
Don Garber, who has served as the NFL’s commissioner for nearly 25 years, says the World Cup will be “rocket fuel” to grow the game of soccer in our city and nation.
“Anyone who is involved in the game will really benefit from the fact that we have this rocket fuel that will give the entire sport at all levels a boost of energy and a special series of moments,” Garber said. “Lots of people love the game and play it and follow the teams and tournaments whether it’s in the MLS or teams, leagues and clubs all over the world. And now, we have the opportunity to connect all these dots. I think people who have never seen and experienced the World Cup will see something they could never have imagined” .
Garber was joined by Janice Burke of the Harris County Athletic Authority in Houston and Ted Segal, owner of the Houston Dynamo and Dash. They say, as part of our city hosting the 2026 World Cup, additional football fields will be built in Houston Sports Park and throughout Harris County so that every young person in the area who wants to play football can get into the game.
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“It’s the most diverse community in America, and it’s a global sport, so there are a lot of kids who want to play but don’t have a chance,” Burke said. “So we’re going to expand that. We want to make sure that every child that probably doesn’t have parents who are able to drive them, is going to be able to walk to a football field so they have a chance to play.”
“Everyone involved in the game, and many of us in sports are doing what we can to connect the game to underserved communities,” Garber added. “And when you have a big event, it gives you the opportunity to join the grassroots and make an impact.”
“We at Dynamo and Dash intend to make the most of the next World Cup in 2026 and make sure our fans know in Houston. We are the number one destination for football,” said Segal.
Burke says the funding to build the youth stadiums will come through private donations as well as money from the United States Football Association.
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